Hotel Seven Stars

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Prologue

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I had just begun a dive, at a new location; a site, where I had been expecting something interesting. Yet, I had never expected, what I am about to face.

I had been informed, of a newly arrived fleet of sunken ships. (Unheard of, to say the least)

Just a casual dive, in clear, calm water. Nothing spectacular. I am alone, under the waves, with the crew on the ship directly above. (Yes, we do have a satellite connection, to the ground crew of marine biologists and navel experts; what had you been expecting, from an expedition like this?)

Since this is just above the medium depth, I had been cleared to go down, alone. With just a pair of tanks on my back, in the standard scuba gear. (The dry suit, snorkle and such; nothing too special.)

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Looking up, makes me feel; as if I had been on a green field of grass, with a clear blue sky overhead. (It almost made me slip out of the gear.. Almost!)

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Sunken ships are usually grave-yards, for the seamen, mariners and military; a monument to the people who gave up their lives in the service. Though as of late; sunken ships has become the (wet) dream of most marine biologists. (Retired ships, cleared of all classified tech and dangerous items are sent below the waves; as a sanctuary for marine creatures and fish alike)

If this is to be a memorial monument, or a marine sanctuary; I have no idea, the data simply had not been conclusive. Either way; this is an honour and a privilege, to go down to explore what the deep is holding.

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As I reach the first ship, I am greeted by what would at first glance appear to be a sunken luxury liner or possibly even a Yacht. (A marvel of engineering in gleaming steel and wood!)

I had chosen to face the ship, from the front; instead of sneaking up on the ship from behind.

“Not a passenger liner!” I ponder, as I approach the ship before me. (some seven hundred and seventy seven feet long)

Outwardly; the ship appears as if it had just sunk with all hands, only without any sign of how or why it had gone under the waves. (Like a Ghost ship, or possibly a gigantic Submarine monster of horrific proportions!) Still, the ship does look, as if it had been fresh out of the shipyard.

The eerie silence is getting to me. There is no life to be seen, heard of felt in any way shape or form. Just, it is not dead. (This is no Derelict Ghost Ship!!)

Its hull is a deep, jet-black; deeper than space itself. Yet, the side of the bridge is a pristine white, as if newly painted. (Like the ceramic tiles of a bath room.)

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As I go closer still; I can see the search lights coming to life, flooding the depth with its powerful beams of light. I can even see light coming through the windows. (Yet, the Captain is not there; just as I can see no faces in the windows.)

“Is this a Cinematic presentation?” I exclaim, in shock and awe.

“What?” I hear in response; “What are you seeing?” she then elaborates.

“It is just, that I feel as if I had been on a gigantic studio set; the character in a film being recorded, as I am approaching the ship!” I respond.

“Let’s just hope, you don’t have to face a Monster!” she suggests, hopefully; still, with dread in her voice.

“Don’t..” I exclaim; “don’t even joke about it!” I put forth; “This scene is surreal enough, as it is; without any such notions popping into my head!” I conclude.

“I will simply have to wait, for the images to come flooding in, from the secondary feeds of the companion probe!” she responds, with resignation clear on her voice.

“Since you haven’t got your diver’s licence, yes!” I respond.

“I was never cleared, for the privilege!” she suggests; “and I never had the time; on my free time, either!” she concludes.

“We can’t all be divers..” I suggest; “and most of the time; the dive is not exciting, in the first place!” I respond.

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Of course, there is no people on the deck; the ship had sunk, or been sunk on purpose. All the same, one could dream; but I can see no equipment on the deck, these were never sent down with the ship. (Not as much as a raft or anything of the sort.)

However; I can see the lights on the deck, aside from the search lights and the lights behind the windows.

“Curious..” I ponder; “this ship looks, as if it had been sent on its Maiden Voyage; only without anything on the deck!” I conclude. (Could this be its test voyage? Because none would put this much into building the ship just to sink it!)

Excited, I hesitantly continue; swimming towards the deck and the door I expect should be possible to open.

“Strange..” I exclaim; “Where did this lobby come from?” I inquire; “I could have sworn, this ship did not have a lobby on the front!” I conclude.

On closer inspection; the lobby looks like the lobby of any fancy five star hotels in a proud metropolis. The typical Glass and steel front of the building, one expects to see; but, not on a ship of any type. (Not even a Luxury Liner or a Yacht, this ship may resemble from afar.)

I approach the new-found lobby, slowly meter by meter, as I go down towards the deck. Foot by foot, as I make the final approach; walking somewhat unsteadily on the deck, as I am closing in on the glass doors.

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The twin sliding-doors eagerly slide up before me, just as I am reaching the natural sensor range; I step in into the lobby, only for the doors to slide shut behind me unnoticed.

Once inside, I notice the black Marble tiles the floor had been laid with. (Polished smooth, to a high gloss finish; only to be coated with a thin crystal clear silicone-membrane, protecting the polished surface of the floor)

“Wha..” I exclaim; “What?” I inquire, only to be met by absolute silence.

There is no response, no acknowledgement of my exclamation. It would appear, I am alone and on my own. (As if the line had been cut, or they had never even been there in the first place)

However; there is no water in the lobby, once the doors had closed behind me. (As if, I had never been under water in the first place; but on the surface, in the middle of the large City!)

“No point, in reciting observations, if I know they can’t hear me?” I ponder, questioning my situation and position.

“Then again, maybe it is just their transmitter, or my receiver that is not functioning?” I ponder.

Could I go back, now? Could I trust to find my way back; even if it is possible for me, to go back? Would I ever get under the surface of the sea, if I did go back? I choose to continue.

I need to see, where I am.

(Is this rational? Am I risking my life, out of fear?)

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Pass: - "Faux Pas" Confirmed..

Hotel: Seven Stars

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